The rise in technology has also meant an increase in gaming, leading many women to wonder if there is such a thing as video-game addiction. One look at the kids sitting in front of the television screen with glazed eyes and blank expressions would certainly lead one to that conclusion, right? However, the concept of an actual addiction to video games is one that deserves to be explored further before a final determination can be made. Is your spouse or are your children addicted to video games? Read on for the best methods to assess their gaming habits, and decide whether intervention is necessary.

The Evidence of an Addiction to Video GamesWhile there is compelling evidence to suggest such a thing as too much gaming, calling it a video-game addiction is quite another matter. Still, there are reasons to consider the negative impact of video games, as shown in this timeline”

2002: MAVAV (Mothers Against Videogame Addiction and Violence) is launched in December to alert people to the hidden dangers of video games.

2005: A national survey by the ESA (Entertainment Software Association) identifies the typical gamer as a 30-year-old male. However, more recent surveys suggest that the prototype is diversifying, with 15- to 25-year-olds showing the biggest increase in play time.

2006: Amsterdam opens its first detox clinic for video-game addictions at Smith and Jones Addiction Consultants. This is done in response to the concerns of the counselors there who found that many of the patients dealing with drug and alcohol addictions also exhibited compulsive gaming behavior.

2007: The American Medical Association calls for more research in the area of video gaming. This call includes studying the benefits and consequences of regular playtime and the effectiveness of the rating system.

2008: A study conducted by Dr. Allan Reiss at Stanford University found that males get a greater feeling of reward from playing video games than women do, which may explain why men are more likely to get drawn into the games.

There is no doubt that the gaming industry has received plenty of attention from the media and medical community in determining whether detrimental effects like video-game addiction can come from spending too many hours with a controller. Whether or not this leads to a full-fledged addiction to video games remains to be seen, but you can look for warning signs to know if your husband or child is spending too much time in front of the screen.

Symptoms of AddictionFirst, most of your child's free time is spent playing video games – even at the expense of time spent with friends or in sports. Perhaps you catch your child lying to you about his video game use, or you notice he becomes irritable when he is not sitting in front of his gaming console.

School performance will also suffer in children addicted to video games. Your son's teacher may complain that he is falling asleep in class, or that he is not keeping up with his assignments. Check out the grades on his next report card to see if they remain status quo or drop substantially. These are all signs that your child may be heading toward a video-game addiction. If so, he needs your help to get his gaming under control before it becomes a bigger problem.

Recognizing Adults Addicted to Video GamesAdults will also exhibit signs of video game addiction, but in different ways. According to the National Institute on Media and the Family, the first sign that your husband may have a problem could occur when his game time is characterized by guilt or intense feelings of pleasure. An adult's increased play time may get in the way of his family, social life or work. He may lie about the amount of time he is spending in front of the screen or experience withdrawal or depression when he is not playing.

Both adults and kids will show physical signs of a video-game addiction as well. These symptoms might include:

Sleep disturbances Pain in the back and neck and headachesDry eyesCarpal tunnel syndromeFailure to eat regular meals or keep up with personal hygiene

If you are still not sure whether you have a video-game addiction or are simply an avid gaming enthusiast, there is a test at MediaFamily.com to help you know for sure. So what do you do if your spouse or child begins exhibiting these symptoms? The best advice is to put a halt to the behavior sooner rather then later, by setting firm boundaries on the amount of video gaming allowed and instituting consequences when those boundaries are crossed. Offer alternatives to the gaming hobby, like video-free family nights.

Video-Game SafetyCommon Sense Media has tips for keeping your kids safe when choosing and playing video games. First find games in line with your child's interests, and look for entertaining, nonviolent games with the appropriate ratings. A rating of "E" means that everyone can play the game because the incidence of violence and language is minimal. "E10" signifies that the game is appropriate for kids 10 and over, since there may be mild violence, language and suggestive themes. Games rated with a "T" are generally designed for kids over the age of 13, and an "M" rating means the games are not appropriate for kids under the age of 17. Besides the rating, study the rest of the game package to get an idea of the style and level of violence by the illustrations that are shown.

In addition to heeding the ratings, talk to other parents for recommendation about the games their kids enjoy.

For online reviews from a parental perspective, check out GamerDad.com, which offers detailed information on most games available. ParentPreviews.com is another good resource that offers information about the violence and language that parents should watch out for in current games. It is also a good idea to play with your child so that you get learn the popular games out there. What is your child being exposed to through his video game console? By purchasing two-player games, you can spend time with your child and his favorite games, which will encourage him to learn cooperation and communication skills by playing with you.

Gaming isn't necessarily an evil that must be avoided at all costs, but it is certainly a pastime that should be supervised and limited to avoid excessive and irresponsible use. Whether you are an adult who needs to monitor your own play time or a parent who must keep a watchful eye on a teenage gamer, this hobby is one that needs to be handled carefully and responsibly. And if you are concerned that you are one of those people addicted to video games, try setting stricter limits on how much time you play. You may find that cutting back on your gaming time is all the rehabilitation you need.

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